Posted on 06/16/2012 8:39:11 PM PDT by Innovative
A new program in San Francisco will pair carefully selected dogs from shelters with panhandlers in an effort to steer the latter away from asking for money on the streets and keep the animals from being euthanized.
The temporary guardians (the words "pet" and "owner" are frowned upon in San Francisco) will receive weekly stipends of $50 to $75 and must agree to jettison their cardboard signs in the pilot project believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
The program, scheduled to start in August, is called WOOF, short for Wonderful Opportunities for Occupants and Fidos. The animals will eventually be placed in permanent homes.
"I can't make panhandling go away," said Bevan Dufty, one of the plan's architects. "But I can make a better offer."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
In Las Vegas, we have community outreach programs that provide the homeless with haircuts, “new” clothing in keeping with the jobs they once had, job referrals and a day where the homeless can feel worthwhile again.
The chronically homeless don’t come to these programs, but the newly homeless, who are displaced for one reason or another, take advantage of the freebies offered.
They are sometimes given the opportunity to do a video interview to present to the potential employer along with a resume that has been prepared with the help of volunteers.
The photo doesn’t necessarily have to be staged. Lots of places donate t-shirts, and if the torso is covered by an outer shirt, you won’t see the logo, often for a bank or a booze.
Don’t be so quick to judge.
I never give money. I will buy food for both but will not give money.
Yeah. This idea is a special kind of stupid. lol
Just wondering, are the panhandlers skinny?
I have more sympathy for the dog than for them. Callous conservative B@$t@rd that I am.
Re your #27 - They were going to put the poor little buggers (the dogs I mean) down anyway - why waste all that perfectly good protein?
“Not enough dogs to go around?”
Just issue them a moon worshiping jihaddi to take care of. Plenty of them to go around, and Obozo is importing several thousand more per day!
Just keep the bums away from those “bath salts”, or they’ll eat the Muhummadeans too!
They are professional panhandlers.
Re: “So what are they going to do with the dogs when they transport the drunks?”
Probably take them back to the pound and finish the job.
Poor mutts; the bums deserve it a helluvva lot more than the innocent animals IMHO.
These beggars will take the dogs, to get the weekly money, but I doubt they will care for the dogs.
Plus, why wouldn't they continue to beg for more money - probably with the dog next to them?
An exception, may G-d be with them both. It’s the addicts that I’m specifically worried about - “in treatment” is a joke, and there is nothing an addict won’t do for a fix. Ask an ER doc or nurse.
In the meantime these citizens will depend on the only companion they can depend on ....man's best friend.
Their Pets.
The pet will never run to an attorney wanting out.
Sorry, to be so sappy. :(
I know whereof you speak - I loved my dog (RIP Janey!), and I love my cats. I’m just worried about giving such wondeful creatures into the custody of people who will do anything for a fix.
Ha! You and me, both! I’ll bet if you rescued that dog, you’d have a best friend for life! Seriously. Keep thinking about it, but not so long that it allows that pup to walk out of your life. :-)
Not “sappy” at all. Great post; great picture, Daffy!
Indeed. The one and only time I’ve been to S.F. I remember a tatooed, apparently well-fed young man on the sidewalk holding a puppy, gripping its front leg and threatening to break the pup’s leg if passersby didn’t throw him some money.
There were other panhandlers of course, but I’ll never forget this scumbag.
Indeed. The one and only time I’ve been to S.F. I remember a tatooed, apparently well-fed young man on the sidewalk holding a puppy, gripping its front leg and threatening to break the pup’s leg if passersby didn’t throw him some money.
There were other panhandlers of course, but I’ll never forget this scumbag.
Right now we lie in a very small apartment and have two dogs. I thought about taking it to the SPCA, (They are a no kill shelter) but are very crowded. We are looking for a house and when we find one we are going oget involved in Animal rescue. It is stll a possibility.
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